Andre Rush
- Andre Rush went viral in 2018 for the size of his 24-inch biceps.
- The former White House chef eats 6,000-10,000 calories a day to maintain his physique.
- This usually includes four whole chickens and 24 eggs, he told Insider.
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Celebrity chef and military combat veteran Andre Rush eats 6,000-10,000 calories a day to maintain his size and fuel his lifestyle.
Rush, who previously worked as a White House chef and went viral for the size of his biceps (24 inches), told Insider that although it sounds like he eats a lot, it's not hard for him.
"There's literally no effort to get to 6,000 calories," he said.
Rush, 47, weighs around 175 pounds and although he doesn't track macros or calories, he aims to eat 60% protein, and 20% each carbs and fats.
"I eat three to four chickens a day, I eat a lot," he said.
If he doesn't keep his food up, he loses weight.
"I'm an endurance trainer, even now at my age and at my size, my body still burns weight like crazy," he said.
Rush doesn't believe in 'cheat meals'
Rush, also known as The Jacked Chef, prioritizes protein and whole foods - "I love vegetables, but I love meat also," he said - but he doesn't have any strict rules around food groups.
"There's no such thing as a cheat meal to me," Rush said.
He enjoys eating out and loves pizza, but tries to maintain a healthy balance. Sometimes he resists pizza and opts for a whole chicken with green beans and some mashed potato, not to save on calories but to help him get enough protein.
An average day of eating for Rush can look like:
- Breakfast: coffee; 24 soft boiled eggs (20 just whites, four whole); a few pieces of lean beef; and a protein shake containing oats, peanut butter, and kale
- Snack: peanut butter, banana, and jam sandwich
- Snack: beef with quinoa, tomatoes, and feta
- Lunch: whole roast chicken, 2-4 oz steak, white rice
- Dinner: sweet potatoes, broccoli, whole chicken, and a protein shake
- Second dinner: salmon, kale, and tomatoes
- Snack: protein shake containing Greek yogurt, oats, quinoa, blueberries, and banana
- Snack: whole chicken
As Rush travels a lot, sometimes he has to be flexible and eats unusual meals like microwave rice with tuna and peanut butter.
Rush doesn't recommend his diet to other people
Rush wants people to know that his diet is specific to him, and it wouldn't be right for most of us.
"Practice what I preach, not what I do, because my lifestyle is different from yours," he said. "I know what to do, but I've also adapted my lifestyle for my body."
Rush left the military four years ago after having fought in Iraq.
As well as twice daily workouts, Rush does 2,222 push-ups a day to raise awareness of the estimated 22 military veterans who die from suicide every day.
"22 won't grab anybody's attention," he said. "222 still won't."
Rush usually breaks the 2,222 down into two sessions a day, and fuels up well before and after.
"I have to be smart and not hurt myself," he said.